How to find the right artwork for your home

When you’ve got a lot of walls to fill you need to think laterally about your approach to art collecting.

I love decorated walls, but I’ve never had the budget to consider investment art. That’s a whole different kettle of fish for a specific socio-economic status, for which you should consult an art expert. I’m not in that category, but that’s never stopped me from having a dynamic and interesting art collection.

Follow these top tips to bring your walls to life through art.

What is art?

Art isn’t just an framed picture hanging on your wall. Looking outside the normal parameters of what art is will open you up to a million opportunities – art is whatever you want it to be.

I have a range of ceramics scattered on my walls that I’ve collected from all over the place. I also love a carefully curated plate wall. We hung a beautiful plate wall in my parents’ kitchen to display my mum’s collection that would have otherwise sat unseen in cupboards.

Hot tip: you can buy plate hanging hooks from Spotlight. They look like large round yellow stickers. Just make sure you buy the right size for the weight of the plate or else they’ll end up in pieces on the floor.

Anything you don’t need to have professionally framed is a bonus because professional framing is not cheap. I’ve hung African baskets bought from Facebook Marketplace that sit in a trio on one of my walls that add beautiful texture and dimension. I’ve also hung silk kimonos, weavings, and tapestries. The world is your oyster.

Skip the mass-produced

The fastest way to devalue your walls is to hang mass-produced art.

Mass produced refers to anything that is not either original or limited-edition prints. They’re usually sold by big-box retailers in volume.

My issue with them is that there is no limit to how many people can own the same piece of art but, more importantly, buying this sort of art doesn’t support or celebrate an artist.

You’ll only be supporting a large manufacturing chain. You’re better off finding ways to buy affordable art that supports the little guy.

Holiday purchases

I love buying art on holidays because, all going to plan, holidays are about good times and happy, relaxed memories. When you hang a piece of art from your destination, that piece will take you straight back to that time and place.

It attaches meaning to the piece which, to me, is the whole point. Often, it means you’ll be supporting a local artist and I love the idea of contributing to the towns we visit.

I have a trio of pieces that I purchased while on our honeymoon in Vietnam 16 years ago that holds sentimental value and look super sweet.

I also, typically, buy something from a local maker every year on our annual North Stradbroke Island holiday, if not for myself, then as gifts. Your gift recipient will be touched by the idea that you’ve thought of them while on your holiday.

Op shop art

I have found so many beautiful pieces from my local op shops. It’s the most cost-effective way to buy original art and the pre-loved condition adds a vintage charm that I find hard to resist.

The other thing I love about op shop finds is that the frames are usually ornate and interesting and provide a welcome contrast to the way I typically frame my newer art pieces.

Fabrics and tea towels

I love framing and hanging fabrics. The texture of the fabric adds an element that you don’t otherwise get from art on paper. I’ve framed things like Japanese wrapping cloth given to me as gifts and even tea towels.

In the case of framing fabric, I recommend framing it without the glass in front so that you can better see the fabric. A professional framer will know how to stretch the fabric correctly and will also advise you on the best way to frame it.

Photo walls

When I talk about photos, I’m not talking the professional family photos you get taken at the beach sitting in the dunes all dressed in white, blown up and printed on canvas. I might have just offended half the population, but family photos on canvas will never be okay.

There are better, more sophisticated ways to do a photo wall that feels less contrived. I recommend home owners hang their photo collection in more intimate areas of the house, such as the hallway and staircase well. Scattering photos around the house on your horizontal surfaces can create clutter and lose impact.

Candid snaps in a variety of colour and black and white prints in new and vintage off-the-shelf frames is a simple and effective way to celebrate your people and decorate the walls.